LifeTIMES
A monthly ministry of Lord of Life Lutheran Church of Maple Grove, Minnesota
A Harvest of Blessings
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—
Memoirs of a Survivor
by Alice Woodard, Director of Worship and LifeGARDEN
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ecently as I was walking to my car after church, a dad and his child were also walking out and the dad said, “Look! There’s the church farm!” I smiled to myself because LifeGARDEN does seem more like a farm than a garden. With 1½ acres it’s bigger than most home gardens, and it produces tons, literally, of vegetables each year. In 2010, the first year of the garden, 8,000 pounds of food was grown and donated to CROSS, the local foodshelf. With less favorable weather in 2011, our harvest was about 6,000 pounds. This year we had produced 5,345 pounds by the end of August. And there is a wide variety of crops. For instance, 338 heads of cabbage have been harvested and donated so far in 2012, along with 400 pounds of green beans, and lots of radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, 2,295 cucumbers, beets, tomatoes (6-7 flats every other day), melons, summer squash, peppers, and sweet corn. Yet to be harvested this year are 54 pumpkins, 1,000 linear feet of carrots (waiting for the first touch of frost for optimal sweetness), and lots of onions and potatoes. The harvest doesn’t just happen on its own. As gardener (and green bean captain!) Barb Mewaldt reflects: “Growing veggies is more than planting seeds, watering the plants, and picking a crop. Preparing the soil is key, protecting the crop from weeds and insects, adapting to unforeseen circumstances, as well as persevering when Mother Nature delivers a blow. A successful harvest requires sweat equity, knowledge, patience, teamwork, and favorable weather.” Another Lord of Life gardener, JoAnn Pelinka, adds, “I think everyone that is involved in the garden comes with faith and anticipation that the seeds planted in the ground, given enough attention, with proper rain and sunshine will reap a harvest.” In addition to the harvest of vegetables, there are further benefits. Many gardeners say they feel a peaceful sense of God’s presence when they are in the garden. Chuck Schauss elaborates, “LifeGARDEN is such a great way to make new friends and experience God’s creation. Early in the year when we —continues on Page 5
October 2012
by Jessica Nord, Women’s Cancer Support Ministry Co-leader
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“
ootball season is here, and I have to honestly say that I don’t like the sport. When my husband likes to watch the games—I go shopping! I don’t care to try to even understand this sport. I think it’s futile and a waste of my time. In all honesty, I hate football.” At least that is pretty much what I thought until October 1, 2009. I will never forget that day. It was a dreary, cold, and rainy day when I chose to stay home from work. I was waiting to receive an important call that I feared most. I sat on the couch waiting for my fate and looking back at how all this unfolded in the first place. It was late May 2009 and one of the most beautiful spring days of the season. I was working in my garden when my youngest son Spencer asked if I would play catch with him. I was a little reluctant. I was more interested in getting my hands dirty than tossing a football around. I accepted his invitation and thought it would be a good way to spend some time with him. I can always garden later, I thought. Spencer has always been tall and incredibly strong for his age. At thirteen years old, I knew I was not a good match with his ability to throw a football, but decided to take on the challenge anyways. After a couple of minutes tossing the football back and forth, Spencer decided to throw it hard to me. My lack of athletic ability allowed me to miss the entire catch, causing it to be caught by my left breast instead. I doubled over in pain, knowing that I would receive a lump from the impact of the football. Four months later, the lump still remained and had grown larger. And now, I sat at home waiting to hear the results from my biopsy. Looking out the window that day, October 1, 2009—I tried to logically make sense of it all. After all, I had had my yearly mammogram and doctor visit two months prior to the accident and there were no concerns. I received a clean bill of health for another year! I watched the rain continue to come down. The wind had picked up and was blowing the beautiful crimson leaves off my maple tree in the backyard. All of a sudden, Mother Nature unleashed her fury—the sky turned black. As I watched the weather unfold before my eyes, I wondered
October 2012 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a
—continues on Page 10